PRAYERS FORUI^HliP I 
SCHOOL AND SIJIHwOlI 



SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY 

•FREDERIC 

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Class 

Book 

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COWRIGHT DEPOSHi 



PRAYERS FOR USE IN HOME, 
SCHOOL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 

FRED ERIC A BEARD 



PRAYERS 

FOR USE IN HOME, SCHOOL 
AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 



SELECTED AND ARRANGED 
BY 

FREDERICA BEARD 




HODDER & STOUGHTON 

NEW YORK 

GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY 






COPYRIGHT, 1917, 
BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



SEP 15 1917 

g>C!.A4760?9 



A WOED TO PAEENTS AND 
TEACHEES 

It will be readily seen that among the fol- 
lowing prayers given for children from four 
to eight years, some are much simpler and 
shorter than others. These should be gener- 
ally used with very little children. It has not 
seemed wise to define or classify more closely, 
as children of the same age differ so much 
in their power of appreciation and response 
according to individual conditions. No par- 
ticular order in the use of these prayers is 
intended. In the religious training of young 
children thanksgiving should precede prayers 
of petition and should have always the larger 
place. But the particular need seen by parent 
or teacher will determine the use of any of 
these expressions of prayer. A typical il- 
lustration of comparative simplicity may be 
given by calling attention to the couplet on 
page 15, and the prayer that begins "The 
morning bright " on page 16 which requires 



VI A WORD TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS 

a wider understanding on the part of a young 
child, if it is prayed intelligently. 

Repetition is delightful to little children 
and only gradually do they appreciate the 
form of words that they are given to say, so 
that one little prayer may grow more and 
more dear as it is said from day to day for 
a long time. When, however, a child grows 
indifferent to, or careless of any form, no 
matter how good it is, a change should be 
made. Feelings of gladness, gratitude, desire 
for help, or sorrow for wrong doing — as the 
case may be — should be cultivated before, as 
well as by, the expression of a prayer. If the 
expression is irreverent the prayer had bet- 
ter be omitted. But the natural joy of a lit- 
tle child may be so trained that a thank you 
to the Heavenly Father will be a growing de- 
light, and a spirit of reverence gradually be 
developed as a part of an unfolding char- 
acter. 



The author gratefully acknowledges per- 
mission granted by authors and publishers to 
reprint extracts from the following works : 

"The Little Child at the Breakfast Table," by William 
and Mary Gannett, and prayers by Charles G. Ames in 
"A Book of Prayers," published by the American Uni- 
tarian Association; "The Sunday Kindergarten," by Car- 
rie S. Ferris, published by the University of Chicago 
Press; "Stories for Kindergarten and Primary School," 
by Sara E. Wiltse, published by Ginn and Company; 
"Worship and Song," by B. S. Winchester and Grace 
Wilbur Conant, published by the Congregational Sunday 
School and Publishing Society; "The Boys' Prayer 
Book," by Alexander Devine, published by Methuen and 
Company; "Prayers for the Quiet Hour," by Floyd 
Tomkins, published by the United Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor; "Hymns of Worship and Service," pub- 
lished by The Century Company; a prayer by Robert Louis 
Stevenson, published by Charles Scribner's Sons; "Social 
Prayers," by Walter Rauschenbusch, "Whence Cometh 
My Help," and selections from the Liturgical Services, 
published by The Pilgrim Press; "Prayers Ancient and 
Modern," published by Little, Brown and Company; "A 
Book of Prayers," by Edward A. Horton; a prayer by 
Ian Maclaren, published by Dodd, Mead and Company. 

The Bible text used in this volume is taken from the 
American Standard Edition of the Eevised Bible, copy- 
right 1901 by Thomas Nelson and Sons, and used with 
permission. 



CONTENTS 

PRAYERS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN 
(under nine years of age) 

PAGE 

In the Morning 15 

In the Evening 18 

At Meal Times 21 

In Kindergarten, School and Sunday 
School 22 

PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

(from nine to fourteen years of age) 

For Daily Use at Home 29 

For Use at School 34 

For Use at Sunday School .... 39 

For Use by School Leaders .... 46 

PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Personal Prayers 51 

Social Prayers 61 

FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS . . 75 



PRAYERS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN 



Before my words of prayer are said 
I close my eyes and bow my head, 
I try to think to whom I pray, 
And try to mean the words I say. 

Anonymous 



PRAYERS FOR LITTLE 
CHILDREN 

IN THE MORNING 

For the new morning with its light, 
For rest and shelter of the night, 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For rest and food, for love and friends, 
For everything his goodness sends, 
We thank our Heavenly Father, 



Lord, bless thy little child to-day; 
Make me good and kind, I pray. 



Help us in all we do and say 
To make more beautiful thy day. 



Father, I thy child would be 
Loving all things loved by thee. 

From "The Little Child at the Breakfast Table/' by 
William and Mary Gannett. 



15 



16 PEAYEKS FOE LITTLE CHILDEEN 

Father of all, in Heaven above 

We thank thee for thy love. 

Our food, our homes and all we wear 

Tell of thy loving care. 



The morning bright with rosy light 
Has waked me from my sleep, 
Father, I know thy love and care 
Thy little one will keep. 
All through the day, I humbly pray, 
Be thou my guard and guide, 
My sins forgive and let me live 
As ever near thy side. 



Father, we thank thee for the night 
And for the pleasant morning light. 
For rest and food and loving care 
And all that makes the day so fair. 
Help us to do the things we should 
To be to others kind and good; 
In all we do in work or play 
To grow more loving every day. 



Father, help me through this day 
In all I think or do or say. 



IN THE MORNING 17 

To be like Jesus pure and mild. 
Thy loving and obedient child. 



Father, take this heart of mine 
Make it pure and wholly thine; 
I thy little child would be 
Trusting, loving, serving thee. 

From "The Little Child at the Breakfast Table,' 9 by 
William and Mary Gannett, 



We look to thee, dear Lord, and pray 
(Or, Father, we look to thee and pray) 
That thou wilt guide us through this day. 
From all wrong doing keep us free. 
May we thy loving children be. 



Lead us, Father, day by day 
Ever in thine own dear way. 

From "The Little Child at the Breakfast Table/' by 
William and Mary Gannett. 



IN THE EVENING 

Father, I thank thee for thy love and care 
All thro ' the day, all thro ' the night. 



Heavenly Father, thou wilt hear me, 
Bless thy little child to-night, 
Through the darkness be thou near me, 
Keep me safe till morning light. 



Now I lay me down to sleep 
I pray thee, Lord, thy child to keep, 
Thy love be with me through the night, 
And keep me safe till morning light. 



Dear Father: 
If in my work, or in my play 
I have done any wrong to-day, 
Forgive me ere I sleep, I pray. 
keep us all in peace to-night 
And let us wake at morning light 
To love thee more, and so do right. 



18 



IN THE EVENING 19 

Be near me, my Father, I ask thee to stay 
Close by me forever, and help me, I pray. 
Bless all the dear children in thy tender 

care 
And fit me for Heaven to live with thee 

there ! 

Heavenly Father, thou wilt hear me 
Bless thy loving child to-night ; 
Through the darkness be thou near me, 
Keep me safe till morning light. 
All this day thy hand hath led me, 
And I thank thee for thy care; 
Thou has clothed me, warmed me, fed me, 
Listen to my evening prayer. 
Let my sins be all forgiven ; 
Bless the friends I love so well; 
Take us all at last to heaven 
Happy there with thee to dwell. 



I thank thee, God, who takest care of little 
children, for the good things I have had to- 
day. Forgive me if I have been fretful or 
disobedient, or have done anything wrong; 
and help me to do better next time. 



20 PRAYERS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN 

Now I am going to lie down to sleep, I 
pray thee, God, who seest in the dark as 
well as in the light, to take care of me and 
bless me. Amen. 



The day is thine, the night also is thine. 

Psalm 74:16 



The night shineth as the day, the darkness 
and the light are both alike to thee. 

Psalm 136:12 



AT MEAL TIMES 
To thee, Lord, do we give thanks. Amen, 



Father of all, in Heaven above, 
We thank thee for thy love. 
Our food, our homes and all we wear 
Tell of thy loving care. 



God is great and God is good 
And we thank him for this food ; 
By his hand must all be fed 
Give us, Lord, our daily bread. 



Dear Father we thank thee 
For sending this food; 
Please bless it, and help us 
Each one to be good. 



We thank thee for this bread and meat 
And all the good things which we eat ; 
Lord, may we strong and happy be, 
And always good and true like thee. 



21 



IN KINDEBGAKTEN, SCHOOL AND 
SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Now, before we work to-day, 
We will not forget to pray- 
To God, who kept us thro' the night 
And brought us to the morning light. 
We thank thee for thy loving care 
And for the good things that we share. 
In our work and in our play 
Be thou with us thro ' this day. 



Father, hear thy little children 

As to thee we pray ; 

Asking for thy loving blessing 

On this day. 

Father, make us good; 

Show us how to love each other 

As we should. 

Father, hear thy little children 

While to thee we pray 

Asking for thy loving guidance 

All this day. 

22 



IN KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL 2: 

Lord, we thank thee for this day, 
For these hours of work and play, 
For the shining sun above, 
For thy great and tender love. 
Help us, Lord, thy will to do. 
Make us loving, kind and true. 

From "The Sunday Kindergarten," by Carrie S. Ferris 



Father, we thank thee for the night, 
And for the pleasant morning light ; 
For rest and food and loving care, 
And all that makes the day so fair. 
Help us to do the things we should, 
To be to others kind and good. 
In all we do in work or play 
To grow more loving every day. 



For air and sunshine pure and sweet 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For grass that grows beneath our feet 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For flowers that all around us bloom 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For birds that sing in joyful tune 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 



24 PEAYEES FOE LITTLE CHILDEEN 

For things of beauty He has made 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For daily blessings full and free 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 
For all his care o'er you and me 
We thank our Heavenly Father. 



Father in Heaven, help thy little children 

To love, to obey, to be happy this day. 

So may we please thee in all we do and say. 



In the day before us, in our work and play, 
May we all be loving, kind in all we say, 
Try to please each other, try to do the right, 
Make the day a glad one and thank thee for 
its light. 



Spring 

Hear us thank thee, kindest Friend, 
For the spring-time thou dost send, 
For the warm sunshine and the rain, 
For the birds that sing again, 
For the sky so clear and blue, 



IN KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL 25 

For our Kindergarten too, 
(Or for this happy Sunday too,) 
Hear us thank thee. 



Summe) 
Kindest Friend, we thank thee now, 
While our heads we lowly bow, 
For the summer sun and shower, 
For each bright and smiling flower, 
For grass so green and cloud so white, 
For rosy morn and dewy night, 
Hear us thank thee. 



Autumn 
Friend so gentle, kind and dear, 
Listen to thy children here 
While they thank thee for thy love 
Shown in stars that shine above, 
Shown in frost, in cloud o'er head, 
Shown in leaves of gold and red, 
Hear us thank thee. 



Winter 
Loving Friend, Oh hear our prayer, 
Take into thy tender care, 



26 PRAYERS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN 

All the leaves and flowers that sleep 
In their white bed covered deep. 
Shelter from the wintry storm 
All the snow birds : keep them warm. 

From "Stories for Kindergarten and Primary School," by 
Sara E. Wiltse. 



PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 



PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND 
GIRLS 

FOE DAILY USE AT HOME 

Father, lead me day by day 

Ever in thine own dear way. 

If I'm tempted to do wrong 

Make me steadfast, wise and strong; 

Show me what I ought to do, 

Teach me to be pure and true. 



Our Father, help us every day 
To live more nearly as we pray. 



Holy Father, hear me ; Thou art my defender. 
Be Thou ever near me, loving, true and ten- 
der Amen. 

From "Worship and Song," by B, S. Winchester and 
Grace Wilbur Conant. 



Just as I am, thine own to be, 
Friend of the young, who lovest me, 

29 



30 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

To consecrate myself to thee, 

Jesus Christ, I come. 

1 would live ever in the light, 

I would work ever for the right, 

I would serve thee with all my might; 

Therefore, to thee I come. 

Just as I am, young, strong and free, 
To be the best that I can be 
For truth, and righteousness, and thee, 
Lord of my life, I come. 

For thy dear sake to win renown 
And then to take my victor's crown, 
And at thy feet to cast it down, 
Master, Lord, I come. 



Set a watch, Lord, before my mouth. 
Keep the door of my lips. 



Psalm 141:3 



Show me thy ways, Lord; 
Teach me thy paths. 



Psalm 25:4 



FOR DAILY USE AT HOME 31 

Create in me a clean heart, God; 
And renew a right spirit within me. 

Psalm 51 :10 



Search me, God, who art so loving and so 
wise. I thank thee for this new day. Help 
me to do my work joyfully and faithfully. 
Teach me to be truthful and generous and 
thoughtful of others. Make me more gentle. 
Make me brave to do thy will. Make me 
sorry when I do wrong. Bless my friends 
and give them greater happiness. Make the 
world a better place to live in. Give us all 
more of the spirit of Jesus. Help us every 
day to grow more Christlike. Amen. 



Our Father, when a right way and a wrong 
way are before us, help us to choose the right. 
When tempted to take the wrong, make us 
strong to say no. Give us grace to perse- 
vere in the right way and not to get discour- 
aged. Amen. 

Saviour, Lord, to thee I pray: 

Guide and guard me through this day. 



32 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

As the shepherd tends the sheep, 
Lord, wilt thou from evil keep. 



Father of all, who dost never sleep, keep 
watch over me while I rest. I will put my 
trust in thee and not be afraid, for no harm 
can come to me when thou art my keeper. 
Send thy peace and love into my heart and 
fill my mind with happy thoughts. Forgive 
all in me that thou canst not love, and make 
me like Jesus, — for Jesus ' sake. Amen. 



God, whose love has kept me through 
another day I thank thee for all thou hast 
given me ; for my home, my friends, and all 
my good times. Help me to be thankful and 
obedient, and to love Jesus who was once a 
child like me. Bless all homeless children 
and all who have never heard of Jesus. And 
may thy kingdom come, and thy will be done 
in the hearts of all children everywhere, for 
Jesus' sake. 

Glory to thee, my God, this night, 
For all the blessings of the light ; 



FOB DAILY USE AT HOME 33 

Keep me, keep me, King of kings, 
Under thine own almighty wings. 
Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, 
The ills that I this day have done; 
That with the world, myself and thee, 
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. 



I thank thee, Lord, that thou hast taken 
care of me to-day. Forgive me for all that I 
have done wrong, and watch over me while I 
sleep. May I awake in the morning to be 
thy good child. 

God, my Heavenly Father, I thank thee 
that thou hast called me by thy name, and 
that I am thine. Thou hast made me thy 
child, and I thank thee that I may be a mem- 
ber of thy family in the church. Help me 
to live as thy child ought to live. I accept 
with gladness the privileges and duties of a 
member of thy church. In the name of Jesus 
Christ my Master and Saviour. Amen. 



FOR USE AT SCHOOL 

God, who art our Father, we thank thee 
for the greatness of thy love and for the 
goodness of thy works. May we sing with joy 
and seek thee truly in all we do and say. 



Our Father in heaven, we thank thee that 
thou art our friend. We thank thee that thou 
art ready to help us in our work. Forgive 
us for the wrong we have done and guide us 
in the right way. 



God, give us grace to be honest all the 
days of our lives. Keep us from lying, cheat- 
ing, meanness and rudeness. Help us to with- 
hold from none what is due. Help us also 
to see the good that is in all people. 



God, make us strong to be honest every 
day. Keep us from lying and cheating. Help 

34 



FOE USE AT SCHOOL 35 

us not to be cowards and not to be lazy but 
to be thy brave, obedient children. 



Almighty God, who hast given us grace 
to love and serve thee and to open our hearts 
to thee in prayer : 

Be with us, we beseech thee, through each 
hour of this day, in our work and in our en- 
joyments, that in thought, word and deed we 
may be true to thee through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

From "The Boys 9 Prayer Boole/ 9 by Alexander Devine. 



Almighty God, who art the fountain of 
all wisdom, help us, we beseech thee, so to 
apply our minds to the studies of this place 
that we may grow in knowledge and in under- 
standing, and be prepared for the work which 
thou shalt give us to do hereafter. 

From "The Boys 9 Prayer Boole, 99 by Alexander Devine. 



Deliver us, we pray thee, out of all igno- 
rance and folly, give us pure hearts and will- 
ing minds, and reveal to us thy wisdom in 
the order of heaven and earth and in the guid- 
ance of men's thoughts and actions, and lead 



36 PEAYEKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

us by thy blessed spirit, through the study of 
earthly things to the knowledge of thyself. 



Lord, who knowest our peculiar tempta- 
tions here, help us by thy Holy Spirit to 
struggle against them. Save us from being 
ashamed of thee and of our duty. Save us 
from the base and degrading fear of one an- 
other. Give us grace never to approve, or by 
consent to sanction in others, what our con- 
sciences tell us is wrong, but to reprove it 
either by word or by silence. Let us never 
ourselves act the part of tempter to others, 
never place a stumbling block in our brother's 
way, or offend any of our companions, for 
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

From "The Boys 9 Prayer Book," by Alexander Deviate. 



Eternal and ever-loving Father, Lord of 
the seedtime and the harvest, grant thy bless- 
ing, we pray thee, to this thy school. May 
all here standing before thee resolve anew to 
do thy will and serve thee alike in work or 
play. May those who teach be endowed with 
zeal, justice and patience; those who learn 
with courage, modesty, reverence and truth. 



FOR USE AT SCHOOL 37 

May those who have gone forth from our 
midst be true and upright in word and deed, 
loyal to their brother men, knowing neither 
fear nor reproach. And may we of this 
school be a company of thy faithful soldiers, 
remembering that we are debtors to many for 
their gifts, and ready at all times to give our 
strength to the weak, our substance to the 
poor, and our sympathy to the suffering 
through Jesus Christ, our Leader and our 
Lord. 

From "The Boys' Prayer Boole/' by Alexander Devine. 



Help us to think wisely, to speak rightly, to 
resolve bravely, to act kindly, to live purely. 



Keep us, Lord, we beseech thee, from 
sin in all our recreation and amusements and 
grant that we may take part in nothing that 
is harmful. Make us watchful over our tem- 
pers, kind toward others, honest, fair and 
manly in all our doings, pure in our conver- 
sation. 

Keep us safe in all temptation, help us to 
resist evil and to act a good example to others 
in our play, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



38 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

May we be happy with, one another, 
thoughtful of each other, and kind to all who 
are with us in this school. Keep us strong 
to resist wrong. Keep us from following a 
multitude to do evil. May we choose compan- 
ions who fear thee and keep thy command- 
ments. 



Some of the foregoing prayers are not so well fitted 
for Public Schools as are others. But these may find a 
suitable place in private schools. 



FOR USE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL 1 

By Children Nine to Fourteen Years of Age 

All thy works, Heavenly Father, 
What thou biddest them fulfil, 
So may we thy loving children 
Sing thy praise and do thy will. 
Hitherto thy hand has led us 
And hast brought us on our way; 
Thou hast clothed us, thou hast fed us, 
Thou hast blest us every day. Amen. 



God, we thank thee for thy day. We 
thank thee for this school. Help us each one 
to do our best in this service of worship and 
study. Through song and prayer may we 
feel that thou art near us. Through our 

1 In addition to many prayers under the heading For Use at 
School, some of the following may .be useful for daily school. 
Some of the Social Prayers for young people will be also 
desirable for Sunday School, when the younger pupils meet 
with the older ones. See page 61 et al. 



40 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

lessons may we know thee and thy truth 
more and more. 

In the Name of Christ. Amen. 



God, our Father, we ask thee to help us 
to be strong, to be brave, to be true this day. 
Amen. 



Have mercy upon me, (us) God, accord- 
ing to thy loving kindness : 

According to the multitude of thy tender 
mercies blot out my (our) transgressions. 

Psalm 51 :1, 2 



Our Father Who Art in Heaven 

We thank thee that we are thy children. 
In thought, word and deed may we hallow 
thy name. 

Almighty King of kings, may Thy king- 
dom come. By a cheerful obedience to thy 
law may we help forward its coming. 

May Thy will be done by us and concern- 
ing us. By the obedience of thy people may 
thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 



FOK USE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL 41 

Thou who knowest our needs, Give us 
this day our daily bread. 

Thou who dost forgive the sins of the 
truly penitent, forgive us our debts as we 
forgive our debtors. 

Lead us not into temptation by trials too 
great for our strength but deliver us from 
the evil that is in the world. "We bring this 
prayer to thee, believing thou art able to do 
above what we can ask or think, for Thine is 
the kingdom, the power and the glory. Amen. 



God, as thou hast given us dominion over 
the animals and they are often dependent on 
us, may we be kind and gentle toward them. 
Keep us from ill-treating or teasing any liv- 
ing thing that thou hast made. Teach us how 
to rightly use whatever power thou hast 
given us and may we be thy true children by 
showing love and pity to all thy creatures. 



We thank thee, Lord God, for thy loving 
kindness. Thou art so great and yet thou 
carest for every little one. Teach us how 
kindness may be shown in doing little things 



42 PEAYEES FOE BOYS AND GIELS 

which seem scarce worth doing; lending a 
hand when another is burdened, speaking a 
word when some one is discouraged ; giving a 
cup of cold water to a thirsty child. Help us 
to be polite to all, rich and poor alike. Give 
us thy love in our hearts that we may be 
kind as thou art. 



Lord, help us to gain self-control and to 
watch our tongues. May we learn to keep 
silent when we are provoked or in danger of 
saying unkind and wrong words. Wilt thou 
cleanse us from all sins and make us to know 
that thou art with us; for thy Name's sake. 
Amen. 



God, make us true lovers of the land of 
our fathers. Help us to keep the promise our 
country has made to the world. As America 
promised to be the home of freedom, and 
brotherhood and justice for all, so may we 
be honourable enough to keep this promise. 
Put us in mind of the pleasures and the rights 
of others. Help us to become noble and 
great-hearted citizens, always brave, truthful 



FOR USE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL 43 

and fair. So may we be an honour to our 
nation. 



Heavenly Father, 

Teach us to learn more of that Saviour who 
was meek and lowly in heart. May our faith 
in him grow stronger as our lives advance. 
May the same mind be in us which was in 
him. Help us to understand his truth so 
that our errors may be corrected, and to 
learn of his life that we may live as his true 
disciples. 

Hear us, Author of our Mercies, in his 
name who loved us and gave himself for us, 
and to thee will we give glory. Amen. 



Grant us, Lord, to know that which is 
worth knowing, to love that which is worth 
loving, to praise that which pleaseth thee 
most, to esteem that highly which to thee is 
precious, to abhor that which is displeasing 
in thy sight, and above all, to be ever search- 
ing after the good pleasure of thy will 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

From Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471 A. B.) 



44 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

Help us, God, to be as courageous as the 
leaders of thy people in the early days. Give 
us strength to be obedient unto thee and to 
be thy loyal children. 



We come to thee, our Father, to give our- 
selves to the service of Jesus Christ. We 
take him as our Leader and Master and as his 
disciples we take the name of Christians. 



Our Father, now before we go, 
Again we bow in prayer to thee. 
We thank thee for this quiet hour 
And all thy blessings full and free. 
Oh, help us to be strong and true, 
Go with us to our homes, we pray; 
And help us all that we may feel 
That thou dost keep us day by day. 



Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise 
With one accord our parting hymn of praise. 
We rise to bless thee ere our worship cease ; 
Then lowly kneeling, wait thy word of peace. 



FOE USE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL 45 

Father, grant thy children's prayer; 
Keep us ever in thy care. Amen. 

From "Worship and Song/' by B. S. Winchester and 
Grace Wilbur Conant. 



FOE USE BY SCHOOL LEADERS 
The Lord bless thee and keep thee. 

Numbers 6:2- 



Author of all good, let thy blessing rest 
upon these boys and girls. Make them to go 
in the path of thy commandments. May they 
early acquaint themselves with thee, the God 
of their fathers, and have that fear of thee 
which is the instruction of wisdom. 

May Jesus Christ be their chosen model 
and like him may they increase in wisdom as 
they increase in age. 

In his name. Amen. 



The angel which hath redeemed me from 
all evil, bless the lads. 

Genesis 48:16 



Lord, deliver the laddies before thee from 
lying, cheating, cowardice and laziness which 

46 



FOR USE BY SCHOOL LEADERS 47 

are as the devil. Be pleased to put common 
sense in their hearts and give them grace to 
be honest men all the days of their life. 

By Ian Maclaren 



God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and 
cause thy face to shine upon us. 

Psalm 67:1 



Confirm, Lord, we pray thee, the hearts 
of thy children and strengthen them with the 
power of thy grace; that they may both be 
devout in prayer to thee and sincere in love 
for each other; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

From Leonine, A. B. 440. 



Now that we are to separate for a season, 
we ask thy blessing, Lord, upon all the 
pupils of this school. Let thy fatherly hand 
be over them; let thy Holy Spirit be with 
them. Lead them in the knowledge and obe- 
dience of thy word that they may have the life 
that is everlasting. Amen. 



48 PRAYERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

Now the God of peace make you perfect in 
every good thing to do his will, working in 
you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom be 
glory for ever and ever. 

Hebrews IS: 20 



The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the 
Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and 
be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his 
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6:24, 25, 26 



PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



Speak to Him thou, for He hears, and spirit 

with spirit can meet ; 
Closer is He than breathing, nearer than 

hands and feet. 

Tennyson. 



Prayer is the soul's sincere desire 
Uttered and unexpressed; 
The motion of a hidden fire 
That trembles in the breast. 

James Montgomery. 



PRAYERS FOR YOUNG 
PEOPLE 

PERSONAL PRAYERS 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O 
Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer 
unto thee and will look up. 



send out thy light and thy truth that 
they may lead me. 

Psalm 43:3 



Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my 
God ; thy spirit is good ; lead me in the paths 
of uprightness. 

Psalm 143:10 



Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, 
Because thy promise I believe, 
Lamb of God, I come. 

51 



52 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Just as I am, thy love unknown 
Has broken every barrier down; 
Now to be thine, yea thine alone, 
Lamb of God, I come. 



Thou, Lord, art a God full of compassion 

and gracious, 
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy and 

truth 
turn unto me, and have mercy upon me ; 
Give thy strength unto thy servant. 

Psalm 86:15, 16 



Dear Saviour, lead thou me on. Take the 
past and purify and bless it. Guide me into 
the future and help me to meet its needs and 
its calls bravely. Step by step, hour by hour, 
may I walk with thee. And if I lose sight of 
thee through any peril or sin, still do thou 
hold me fast, and keep me until I enter that 
home where time shall be no more. Amen. 

From "Prayers for the Quiet Hour," by Floyd TomTcins. 



PERSONAL PRAYERS 53 

Father, lead me day by day 
Ever in thine own sweet way; 
Teach me to be pure and true 
Show me what I ought to do. 

When in danger make me brave; 
Make me know that thou canst save ; 
Keep me safe by thy dear side ; 
Let me in thy love abide. 

When I'm tempted to do wrong 
Make me know that thou canst save ; 
And when all alone I stand 
Shield me with thy mighty hand. 

When my work seems hard and dry 

May I press on cheerily. 

Help me patiently to bear 

Pain and hardship, toil and care. 

May I do the good I know; 
Be thy loving child below; 
Then at last go home to thee 
Evermore thy child to be ! 

From "Hymns of Worship and Service." 



54 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Lord, in my simple heart I give myself to-day 
to be tliy servant ever, 

To listen unto thee and be a sacrifice of ever- 
lasting praise. 

Thomas a Kempis. 



I wake this morning and know that all my 
life is freshly mine to live. There are new 
words to speak ; new thoughts to hear. There 
is new love to give and take. I thank thee, 
Lord, and ask that these may make the world 
a brighter, better place. There may be new 
burdens I may bear to-day for love's sweet 
sake. Help me to bear them well. Amen. 



If there be some weaker one, 
Give me strength to help him on; 
If a blinder soul there be, 
Let me guide him nearer thee. 
Make my mortal dreams come true 
With the work I fain would do ; 
Clothe with life the weak intent, 
Let me be the thing I meant ; 
Let me find in thy employ 
Peace that dearer is than joy;, 



PERSONAL PRAYERS 55 



Out of self to love be led 

And to heaven acclimated, 

Until all things sweet and good 

Seem my natural habitude. S)j^\ 

From "Andrew Bylcman's Prayer," John Greenleaf 

™^^£^ * 

Grant us, Lord, to/pass this day i«~glad- 
«ess and peace, without stumbling and with- 
out stain ; that reaching the eventide victori- 
ous over temptation, we may praise thee, the 
eternal God, who art blessed and dost govern 
all things, world without end. Amen. 

Mozarabic (Before 700 A. D.) 



By the Love whereby thou didst cause the 
blind to see enlighten our minds with the 
spirit of truth. 

From l ' The Boole of Litanies, ' ' by John Mason Neale. 



Lord our God, grant us grace to desire 
thee with our whole heart ; that so desiring we 
may seek and find thee; and so finding thee 
may love thee ; and loving thee may hate those 
sins from which thou hast redeemed us. 
Amen. 

Anselm (1033-1109 A. D.) 



56 PEAYEES FOE YOUNG PEOPLE 

God of our lives from thee we receive all 
that makes the day happy, or the night peace- 
ful. 

To thee we would give thanks. 

We confess our transgressions ; have mercy 
upon us. 

We are weary, give us rest. 

We are ignorant; make us wise to salva- 
tion. 

We are helpless, let thy strength be made 
perfect in our weakness. 



Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, 
Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us from 
all perils and dangers of this night, for the 
love of thy only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

From the Gelasian Sacramentary. 



God, the light of every heart that sees 
thee, the life of every soul that loves thee, 
the strength of every mind that seeks thee, 
grant me ever to continue steadfast in thy 
holy love. Cleanse thou me from my secret 
faults and keep thy servant from presump- 
tuous sins that they may never get dominion 
over me. 

Adapted from St. Augustine. 



PEESONAL PRAYEES 57 

The day returns and brings us the petty 
round of irritating concerns and duties. Help 
us to play the man, help us to perform them 
with laughter and kind faces, let cheerful- 
ness abound with industry. Give us strength 
to go blithely on our business all this day, 
bring us to our resting beds weary and con- 
tent and undishonoured, and grant us in the 
end the gift of sleep. Amen. 

Robert Louis Stevenson. 



Lord, I have a busy world around me; 
eye, ear and thought will be needed for all 
my work to be done in that busy world. Do 
thou bless them and keep their work thine. 
"When my mind cannot consciously turn to 
thee, may it still do thy will. 

Br. Thomas Arnold (1795-1842). 



God, thou appointest my work, strengthen 
me to bring it to a good end. 

Let me be more anxious to be faithful in 
little than to have much committed to me. 



58 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Grant me grace to do all things to thy 
glory. 

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

From "A More Abundant Life," by Phillips Brooks. 



Lord, renew our spirit and draw our 
hearts unto thyself that our work may not be 
to us a burden, but a delight, and give us such 
a mighty love to thee as may sweeten all our 
obedience. let us not serve thee with the 
spirit of bondage as slaves, but with the 
cheerfulness and gladness of children, de- 
lighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in thy 
work. 

Benjamin Jeriks (1646-1724). 



Father, I thank thee for thy mercies which 
are new every morning. For the gift of 
sleep ; for health and strength ; for the vision 
of another day with its fresh opportunities of 
work and service ; for all these and more than 
these, I thank thee. Help me to use these 
gifts in a good way. Amen. 

Samuel McComb. 



PERSONAL PRAYERS 59 

Dear Lord, teach me to give gladly, gener- 
ously, believingly. Consecrate all I have to 
thine own use, and let me look upon my pos- 
sessions as sacred trusts from thee. Bless 
all I give, and let me think more of thy bless- 
ing than of mine own benevolence. Keep me 
near to thee and fill me with thine own spirit. 
And 0, let me find my peace and my com- 
fort, not in what I receive, but in the strength 
which goes out of me in my giving. For 
Jesus' sake. Amen. 

From "Prayers for the Quiet Hour," by Floyd TomTcins. 



Dear Lord, I cry to thee ; thou knowest the 
fears and the doubts. Thou knowest the 
despair and the crying for thou wast man on 
earth. hold me from gloom and sadness. 
Make me strong and trustful. Kill my 
doubts. Hold me near to thee. Speak to me 
in words of cheer. Draw me out of the mire 
of sin and unbelief and place my feet upon 
the rock of faith and love. 

From "Prayers for the Quiet Hour/' by Floyd TomTcins. 



Lord, give me, I beseech thee, grace to 
love thee whom now I see not, and for thy 
sake to love all whom I see and can help. 



60 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

God, who makest all things to work to- 
gether for good to them that love thee, grant 
that every temptation may but make me 
strong in thy strength and rich in thy suffi- 
cient grace, so that my footsteps slip not, but 
ever press on in the way that leads to ever- 
lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

From "Christ the Life and Light," by Phillips Brooks. 



■ 



God, King of kings and Lord of lords; 
whose service is perfect freedom, give me 
grace to serve thee so faithfully here, that 
hereafter I may enter into the joy of thy serv- 
ice in the life everlasting; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 



SOCIAL PBAYEES 

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon 

us; 
And establish thou the work of our hands 

upon us; 
Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. 

Psalm 90:17 



Our Heavenly Father, thine is the beauty 
of this fair and friendly day. May all that 
is beautiful remind us of thee, the Infinite 
Beauty! May all that is good remind us of 
thee, the Perfect Goodness ! May all that is 
true lead us to thee, the Source of all truth! 
Breathe thy loving Spirit on us all, and make 
thy morning shine within our hearts as in the 
skies above. Help us to make more beautiful 
thy day. 

From "The Little Child at the Breakfast Table," by 
William and Mary Gannett. 



Our Father, we thank thee for the voices 
that speak to us of thee, in sky and sea, in 

61 



62 PEAYEES FOE YOUNG PEOPLE 

field and forest. We thank thee for the beau- 
tiful things in life. Open our eyes that we 
may see thy truth in all things thou hast 
given. A We thank thee that thou art with us 
wheresoever we go. Keep us from wrong- 
doing, and grant us thy strength that thy 
beauty may be seen in our lives day by day. 
May we serve thee in truth and love and so 
make the world better for our living. In the 
name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



Almighty and everlasting God who hast 
safely brought us to the beginning of this 
day, defend us in the same with thy mighty 
power; and grant that this day we fall into no 
sin, neither run into any kind of danger. 

Through the power of thy holy name. 
Amen. 



For all the comforts and gladness of life ; 
for our homes and all our home blessings ; for 
our friends and all the pure blessings of so- 
cial intercourse ; for the love, sympathy and 
good- will of men ! 

We praise Thee, God. 



SOCIAL PRAYERS 63 

For the work we are enabled to do, and the 
truth we are permitted to learn; for what- 
ever of good there has been in our past lives 
and for all the hopes and aspirations which 
lead us on towards better things : 
We praise Thee, God. 

From Liturgical Services. 



God, may no one lead us into temptation 
this day. May all men help us to keep thy 
law. Amen. 



Lead us in the way wherein we should walk 
and quicken us to do thy will. For thou art 
Our Father and our God ; we are thy children 
and we need the touch of thy hand. 



We thank thee, dear Lord, for thy clear 
call to men. We know that the Christ dwells 
not afar but lives among us now and here. 
Though we see thee not, help us to feel thy 
presence with us. Speak to our hearts, we 
pray thee, as thou didst speak to thy disci- 



64 PBAYEKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

pies. And may we, like them, rise up and fol- 
low thee ! 

From "Worship and Song," by B. S. Winchester and 
Grace Wilbur Conant. 



God, make us kindly in thought, gentle in 
word, generous in deed. Teach us that it is 
better to give than to receive; better to for- 
get ourselves than to put ourselves forward; 
better to minister than to be ministered unto. 
And unto the God of Love, be glory and 
praise, forever. 

From ' ' Prayers Ancient and Modern. ' ' 



Grant, Lord, that we may pass this day in 
gladness, and in the joy of thy pres- 
ence ; 

Help us to overcome temptation, that we may 
be more worthy to sing thy praise ; 

Make us gentle and obedient, loving, brave 
and true; 

May we be quick to learn and eager to be 
taught, and may thy spirit lead us into 
all truth; 

So may we continually praise thee, not only 
with our lips, but in our lives. Amen. 

From "Worship and Song," by B. S. Winchester and 
Grace Wilbur Conant. 



SOCIAL PRAYERS 65 

thou Christ of Galilee, who didst go into 
the homes and the hearts of many folk and 
kindle there a light which has burned through 
all the centuries, make me a humble sharer of 
thy glory and goodness, that so I may find a 
purpose and meaning in my life. Teach me 
to speak and act so that I may cheer and help 
men. Grant me love for all, that I may every- 
where see thy children and heed their cries. 
Make me like thee in all thy great-hearted 
and divine beauty that I may count it my 
high privilege to win men from sin to good- 
ness and from wandering to thee. So shall my 
gifts be twice blessed since they cheer men 
and serve thee; so shall I find comfort in 
earth's shadows by making the shadows less 
heavy for my friends. Amen. J 

From "Prayers for the Quiet Hour/' by Floyd Tomfcins. 



Blessed One ! Spirit of light and love, of 
truth and beauty, of freedom and joy, we 
flee to thee from thoughts of ourselves. Be- 
hold us a company of seekers for the more 
abundant life. We have heard and believed 
that in thee is no darkness at all, and that in 
thy light we shall see. 

From Prayers by Charles G. Ames in" A Boole of Prayers." 



66 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

living and loving One, forever making 
all things new in heaven and earth and in our 
little lives! We are together to-day to seek 
for such renewal, — the renewal of our faith 
and hope and love ; a clearer sight of truth ; 
a better understanding of duty; a deeper real- 
isation of the goodness of the world ; a higher 
valuation of our own souls and our brother 
men. Behold thy servants who wait to learn 
to do thy will. Henceforth may that will be 
ours. If we have been absorbed and buried 
alive in poor self-interests, if we have fool- 
ishly followed paths that lead nowhere, in 
pursuit of pleasures that weary and gains 
that turn to losses, thou knowest it was be- 
cause we were only blind. But now thou dost 
touch our eyes and we see. Now would we 
put away our silly pride and pray to enter the 
Kingdom as little children, as children of the 
light, and companions of those who walk 
abroad in the white garments of innocence. 

From Prayers by Charles G. Ames in " A Book of Prayers." 



Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are 
open, all desires known, and from whom no 
secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our 



SOCIAL PEAYEES 67 

hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, 
that we may perfectly love thee and worthily 
magnify thy holy name; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Gregorian Sacrament ary (590 A. D.) 



God, our Father, give us grace that in 
all our doubts and uncertainties we may look 
to thee and ask what thou wouldst have us 
to do. May thy spirit save us from false 
choices. 



Open thou our eyes, Lord, that we may 
behold wondrous things out of thy law. 

Adapted from Fsalm 119:18. 



Forgive our waste of precious moments, 
our loitering feet, our procrastinating will. 
teach us to number our days that we may 
apply our hearts to wisdom. And if there is 
any kindness we can show, may we not neglect 
nor defer it, seeing that we pass this way but 
once. 



68 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

God, we have heard thy call sounding in 
our ears ; in youth and in age, in sickness and 
in health, in joy and in sorrow, at morning 
and at eventide ; in the voice of nature, from 
the page of history, from the lips of men, 
stirring in our own thoughts, crying from our 
own hearts, yet we have not yielded ourselves 
to thee. We have been afraid lest we should 
lose something dear to us ; our comfort, our 
content, our pleasure. Yet refusing we have 
lost our all, love and light and life itself. Save 
us, we beseech thee. Make us willing to be 
what we were meant to be. Give us the cour- 
age to forsake all and yield to thee. 



thou to whom darkness and light are 
both alike, come and abide with us through 
every experience of life. The day is thine 
when shines the sun and all our path is fair ; 
the night is thine when stars light up the vast- 
ness of thy world. Help us neither to weary 
of the day, nor fear what night may bring. 
But to trust in thy loving care at all 
times. 

Adapted from "Prayers in the Temple," by W. E. Orchard. 



SOCIAL PEAYERS 69 

Once more a new day lies before us, our 
Father, as we go out among men to do our 
work, touching the hands and lives of our fel- 
lows, make us, we pray thee, friends of all 
the world. Save us from blighting the fresh 
flower of any heart by the flare of sudden 
anger or secret hate. May we not bruise the 
rightful self-respect of any by contempt or 
malice. Help us to cheer the suffering by our 
sympathy, to freshen the drooping by our 
hopefulness and to strengthen in all the 
wholesome sense of worth and the joy of life. 
Save us from the deadly poison of class pride. 
Grant that we may look all men in the face 
with the eyes of a brother. If any one needs 
us, make us ready to yield our help ungrudg- 
ingly, imloss higher duties claim us, and may 
we rejoice that we have it in us to be helpful 
to our fellowmen/] 

From "A Boole of Prayers/' by Edward Horton. 



Almighty God, help us to realise that we 
live in a world which is not completed but is 
growing. Save us from discouragement when 
we see that human progress is only step by 
step. Teach us that character is graduated 



70 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

from the school of struggle, that truth is the 
spark of light struck out of discussions, that 
peace, the only peace worth having, is the 
fruit of sincerity and conviction. Little by 
little, every good law on the statute book 
extends the reign of universal justice. Slowly 
but surely error and suffering and tyranny 
are driven back by the great forces of Chris- 
tian civilisation. Thus faith shall keep us 
happy and wise in our daily duties. 

In His name. Amen. 

From "A Boole of Prayers," by Edward A. Horton. 



Bestow on us rightly, Lord, the spirit of 
loyalty, that we may make the most and the 
best of life — loyalty to convictions, which im- 
parts strength to character and creates the 
straight path of action; loyalty to friends, 
which is the sign and token of a noble heart, 
loyalty to country, for enlightened patriotism 
is the very soul of our Eepublic. Inspired by 
this spirit we shall walk, not in the darkness 
of indecision and weakness but in the light, 
as loyal followers of Him who was the Light 
of the World. 

From "A Boole of Prayers/' by Edward A. Horton. 



SOCIAL PRAYERS 71 

Lord, our God, great, eternal, wonderful in 
glory, who keepest covenant and promises for 
those that love thee with their whole heart; 
who art the life of all, the help of those that 
flee unto thee, the hope of those who cry unto 
thee; cleanse us from our sins, secret and 
open and from every thought displeasing to 
thy goodness — cleanse our bodies and souls, 
our hearts and consciences, that with a pure 
heart and a clear soul, with perfect love and 
calm hope, we may venture confidently and 
fearlessly to pray unto thee. Amen. 

From tlie Coptic Liturgy of St. Basil. 



Lord of all power and might, who art the 
Author and Giver of all good things ; graft in 
our hearts the love of thy name. Increase in 
us true religion. Nourish us with all good- 
ness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the 
same. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

From the Gelasian Sacramentary. 



Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, 
that the words which we hear this day with 



72 PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

our outward ears, may, through thy grace, 
be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that 
they may bring forth in us the fruit of good 
living, to the honour and praise of thy name, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

From the First Prayer Boole of King Edward VI. 



Eternal Light, shine into our hearts. 
Eternal Goodness deliver us from evil. 
Eternal Power be thou our support. Eternal 
Wisdom scatter the darkness of our igno- 
rance. Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us. 
Grant unto us that with all our hearts and 
minds and strength, we may evermore seek 
thy face; and finally bring us, in thine in- 
finite mercy, to thy holy presence. 

Alquin (780 A. D.) 



Lord, give us the grace of thy spirit, 
early to seek out, and evermore earnestly to 
follow the work which thou hast appointed 
for us to do. Amen. 

From "Prayers Ancient and Modern." 



FOR USE ON SPECIAL 
OCCASIONS 



FOR USE ON SPECIAL 
OCCASIONS 

In thee, Lord, our fathers trusted; they 
trusted and thou didst deliver them. To 
thee they cried and they were saved; in 
thee they trusted and were not confounded. 
As thou deliveredst our fathers in the gen- 
erations of old, so deliver us also, Lord, 
who put our trust in thee. May the power 
of the Father guide and guard us; the wis- 
dom of the Son enlighten us ; the working of 
the Spirit quicken us. 

From Liturgical Services. 



Creator of all souls, thou hast planted in 
every human heart the possibility of heroism. 
Preserve us from looking back to the battle- 
fields and martyr-stakes of the past for hero- 
ism. Bravery glorifies the daily duties, and 
valorous deeds illuminate land and sea. The 
bold explorer, the patient investigator, the 
fearless reformer, these are heroes, also. 

75 



76 FOE USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 

And we thank thee for the shining examples 
in other paths. Unselfish souls of home, of 
business, of friendships. They, too, have the 
spirit of fortitude and courage. May we al- 
ways remember the words of the Master when 
he said to his disciples, "He that is faithful 
in the least is also faithful in much." 

In His Name. Amen. 

From "A Book of Prayers/' by Edward A. Horton. 



Almighty Father, we are made in thy like- 
ness to do thy work. Thou hast shown to us 
what we can do in making this world a part 
of thy kingdom. May we carry the glad tid- 
ings of thy love everywhere, that every child 
may seek thee and find thee, and every na- 
tion become that happy nation whose God is 
the Lord. 

Adapted from a prayer in "Disciples' Services." 



Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, from 
whom cometh every good and perfect gift, we 
lift up to thee the voice of our thanksgiving 
for the comforts and gladness of life ; for our 
homes and all our home blessings; for our 



FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 77 

friends and all the pure pleasures of social 
intercourse; for all true knowledge and the 
world in which we live; for thy church and 
its communion ; for prophets and apostles and 
all earnest seekers after truth ; especially, for 
the gift of thy Son Jesus Christ. In his 
name we give thanks to thee. Amen. 

From Liturgical Services. 



Bountiful Source of all life, already we 
seem to feel the inspiring spirit of Easter 
song and gladness. It tells of new life, larger 
life, risen life, the life eternal. The sleeping 
earth shall waken and listen and arise. Sad 
hearts shall sing, youth and old age shall re- 
joice together, and the soul of man become 
more serene. May we welcome the call of 
Easter, the sacred call which summons us all 
to deeper faith, larger hope, and wider char- 
ity. And we ask it all in the name of the 
Eisen Christ. 

From " A Boole of Prayers/' by Edward A. Horton. 



All the earth shall worship thee, the 
Father everlasting. We praise thee, we bless 



78 FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 

thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we 
give thanks to thee for thy great glory, 
Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father 
Almighty. 

God, convince ns of our sin. Enable us 
to repent of that evil we still love. Save us, 
Lord, from wilfulness and weakness and 
make us strong in thee and in the power of 
thy might: through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Searcher of Hearts, thou knowest us 
better than we know ourselves, and seest the 
sins which our sinfulness hides from us. Yet 
even our own conscience beareth witness 
against us that we often slumber on our ap- 
pointed watch, that we walk not always lov- 
ingly with each other and humbly with thee, 
that we withhold that entire sacrifice of our- 
selves to thy perfect will. Pardon us, we 
beseech thee and let the Dayspring yet arise 
within our hearts and bring us healing, 
strength and joy. 

Adapted from James Martineau. 



FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 79 

Lord God, strong and mighty, we would 
draw near to thee, confessing our weakness, 
beseeching thee to make us strong. We 
would be strong in body that we may do our 
work in life well and cheerfully. We would, 
Lord, be strong in heart, full of courage, 
lightly regarding pain and danger when they 
lie in the way of duty. We would be strong 
in love, tender-hearted, loving our neighbour 
as ourselves and thee supremely with all our 
strength. We would be strong in faith, be- 
lieving thy word and thy promises; ever 
trusting in the victory of good over evil ; ever 
confident that all things work together for 
good to them that love thee. We would be 
strong in hope; undaunted by seeming de- 
feat; ever looking beyond the mists and 
clouds of time, into the clear shining of the 
eternal life. Hear our prayer, Lord, our 
Strength and our Redeemer. 

From Liturgical Services. 



Grant that we may praise thee, not only 
with our lips, but in faithful consecrated 
lives. And may the words of our mouth and 
the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in 



80 FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 

thy sight, Lord, our Strength and our Re- 
deemer. 

From Liturgical Services. 



Lord from whom all good things do 
come, grant to us, thy humble servants, that 
by the holy inspiration we may think those 
things that are good and by thy merciful 
guiding way perform the same, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 



almighty and most merciful God, of thy 
bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, 
from all things that may hurt us;, that we 
being ready both in body, and soul, may 
cheerfully accomplish those things which 
thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

Celasian (492 A, D.) 



God who hast taught us to keep all thy 
heavenly commandments by loving Thee and 
our neighbour; grant us the spirit of peace 
and grace that we may be both devoted to 
thee with our whole heart and united to each 



FOR USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 81 

other with a pure will ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

From Leonine Sacramentary (460 A. D.) 



Light everlasting, Love never failing, 
our darkness illumine and draw us to thee; 
may we from thy spirit receive inspiration; 
in thee may our souls find their peace and 
salvation. 



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